Reversibly driven swather attachment



Jan. 19, 1954 J, PAGE, JR

REVERSIBLY DRIVEN SWATHER ATTACHMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 50, 1950 Jan. 19, 1954 J. PAGE, JR 2,666,518

REVERSIBLY DRIVEN SWATHER ATTACHMENT Filed March 50, 1950 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lm enior john Pa ge Jr Jan. 19, 1954 J, PAGE, JR 2,666,518

REVERSIBLY DRIVEN SWATHER ATTACHMENT Filed March 50, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3' FIGS 1n vehiorf john Pqge Jr i215 Hifys Patented Jan. 19, 1954 REVERSIBLY DRIVEN SWATHER ATTACHMENT John Page, In, Glidden,- Saskatchewan, Canada Application March so, 1950, Serial No. 152,821

My invention relates to new and usefulimprovementsin swather attachments, an object of my invention being to provide a device of the character herewithindescribed whereby single or double swaths may be laid down-by a single '2 Claims. (01. 198-102 machine instead of using two machines as heretofore.

A further object of my invention in conjunction with the foregoing object is to provide a device of the character herewithin described whereby the operator can select a single swath when the yield of grain is heavy or a double swath when the yield is light thereby enabling an associated combine to work efficiently at all times.

Another objectofmy invention is to provide a device of the character herewith n described whereby the change from single to double swathlaying or vice versa can be made by the operator without stopping the machine.

A yet further object of m invention is vide a device of the character herewithin described which is particularly suitable for attach ments toconventional swathers, and which does not increase the width of said machines to any material extent. H e r a A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is relatively light in weight and is easily attached and detached to conventional swathers. A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which maybe driven from any convenient source of, drive upon existing swathers..

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device ofthecharacter herewithin described which is relatively simple inoperation, economical in manufacture, and. otherwise well suited for the purpose forwhich it is designed.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to whichtthis invention relates as this specification proceeds,

my invention consistsessentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: v

Figure lis a top plan view of my device situated upon a conventional swather shown in fragmentary form and with the drive connection to the reel, cutter-bar, and the like deleted for simplicity. V V "[Figure 2 is an enlarged'top plan view of my swath-laying conveyor per se. Figures-is a rear and elevation of Figure 2.-

'Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the means provided for selective reversible movement of my swath-laying conveyor but reversed from Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of my transfer conveyor per se.

In the drawings. like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the difierent figures. In large scale farming, the present practice in harvesting is to use two swathing machines, one being fitted with an extending conveyor in order that the cut grain may be conveyed over onto the swath laid by the first machine travelling in advance, which machine is of standard construction; This entails the use of two operators, two tractors, and two swathers, and the entire field has to be cut in this way resulting in a considerable wastage of man power and effort.

"Furthermore, this provides a double swath under all'conditions which is not desirable inasmuch as whenth'eyield of grain in one particular sectionof the field is extremely heavy, the combine dealing with this grain is slowed down considerably. However, it is a decided advantage to maintain a double swath where the yield 'is light so that the combine is provided with sufiicient grain for efiicient operation.

Therefore, I have designed the swather attachment hereinafter to be described which permits single or double swath laying to be undertaken by a single machine at Will thereby enabling the operator'to select the type of swath to be laid depending upon conditions of yield thus evening up the combine in operation which normally follows.

In the accompanying drawings, the conventional portions of the swather have been shown fra'gmentarily, the various drive means to the components having been deleted for clarity. Proceeding now to describe my invention, it will be seen upon reference to the accompanying drawings that I have provided a substantially rectangular framework I mounted upon a shaft' 2 supported by ground-engaging wheels 3 only one 'of which is shown. A conventional reel 4, cutter-bar 5, and main conveyor table 5 are provided and driven from whatever source of power is available tothe particular type of swather upon which my attachment is assembled.

The main conveyor table 6 operates in a direction of arrow I thereby normally depositing out grain in a swath through a discharge area 8 situated at one end of the aforementioned rece tangular framework I.

Within this area 8 I have provided what I define as a transfer conveyor collectively designated 9 which is adapted to run substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the main conveyor 5, which conveyor deposits out grain upon the transfer conveyor as will hereinafter be described. 7

ers l mounted uponsh'afts H which are journalled for rotation within the rectangular framework I, the rollers being situated substantially adjacent the forward edge l2 an'di the rear edge 13 of the main conveyor 6. A further rolier'l t is mounted upon a shaft l5, which is journal led for rotation to the rear andab'o've"thefiarmember l6 of the aforementioned -rectangular frame I as will hereinafter be described. A canvas I! having conventional slats l8 fixed the'retopextend around rollers I0 and [4 in the form of an bffdless'blt' and; due to the=positiornngwf{roller in a 'plai'ie abov'etlfat of rollers "It, forms a reward: portion 19' of thetranisferconveyor and 'a rearward and upwardly extending portion-"20 thereof.

The forward portion 19 is substantially paral- "lei "although at right "angles to "the upper run ofltiie aformentioned main conveyor-"5 and does not commence to elevate until clear of therear edge H3 "thereof. flhe 1 rear portion -20 -of the transfer --c'onveyor is guided upwardlyandreartv'ardly by' means of 'angle iron guides 2 l extend- *ifi'gfrom brackets 22 to spindlel5 upon-which the" rear roller is mounted I 'These g'uidesare curved-as illustrated in Figure "fi thus guiding the upper run of the forward end "'o'ftheconveyor 2 0 ina gentle curve towards the "i'olier'll.

One end of shaft l'5'=is extended-and provided wima-pcuey 23 aroundwhich a-belt 24- extends "to a'" convenient "sourceofdriving power -(not'il- -histrated) from the main swath'er.

"The rear :end 20 of the 'trar'isfer conveyor or what inay-be-"termed the discharge end thereof, -toverlies my swath-laying conveyor collectively designated 25-and which is situated to-the rear of ='-the main swather and substantially towards one end thereof.

This lswath laying conveyor includes 'a sub- *stantially rectangular-framework formed 'by parallel frontand rear transverse members 29 and 29 q-a-nd the rearwardlyex-tending support- "ing -members -21 and -21 which aresecured to the rectangular frame lg of the main 'swather and provide support to the swath-laying conveyor cantlleverwise.

*Further' suppert to the swath-laying conveyor is -provided --by the aforementionedgu-ides 2 I of thetransfer conveyor: 9,, --the upper ends "of which carry-shafts [B ef-roller which is alsojourmailedforrotationwith-in-a pair of brackets 28 secured to the front member 2 9 of the rectangular framework -26 --of the swath-laying conveyor. v 'Ihe swathslaying conveyor includes a pair-f of i rollers til-mounted uponshafts-'3 l" :journalled far rotation-within slots 32- prov'lded within the "ends of "transverse "members 29 and "29" of the rectangular framework 2 6. canvas 32 1 extends around' rollers 30 and =is*provided"withslats 33 -in thecon'ventionial manner and it "will be seen 1 from Figure 1 =of the accompanying drawings that canvas 32' issubstantially parallel to "and I to-the rearpfthe-inain' cbnveyor 6.

I have provided means for-=driving-carivas- 32 in either direction thereby permitting this convey'or to be capable of selected reversible movement as required by the operator of the swather. The means to provide this selected reversible movement is shown in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and includes a main drive-shaft 33 supported for rotation within a bracket 34 extending from member 21 and within a bearing contained a"= =plate Biwoolted to member 29 of the rectan- --"gula'r framework 26 of the swath-laying conveyor.

A triple sheave-pulley 36 is keyed to this shaft and-a-belttlextends from one of the sheaves *tofaIpulley 38 connected to a further shaft 39 which is an extension of the shaft upon which the inner roller fthe main conveyor is secured.

acts as a source of power to the swathlayingSiiveyorTS.

muueys au and 4| are keyed to the extremities 42 of shafts 3| carrying rollers 30. A belt 43 extends-between pulley dll and one of the sheaves of the triple-sheave-pulley 36,-a furtherbelt 44 extending betweenthe other sheave of this pullay and pulley; 4|. "Reference to Figure A will show that the-latter belt'M'is crossed forthe purpose hereinafter to be described- From the foregoing it will be observedthat if pulley 33 is;rotati-ng-i-n the direction-of arrow 45, the triple sheave pul-ley sfi will rotate in the direction ofarrow 4t. Ifbelt4'3 is engaged withsheaves npon pulley 36,-the n-the upper run of canvas 32 ;of the swath-laying=--conveyor=25 willmove inft he directionof arrow *41, or in ether words, leftwar'dly =w-ith relation-to the remainder of the drawings. Conversely if belt 43 is slackened and belt 44- is;ti-ghtened,- thentheupper "run of the canvas will move -in the "0pposite direction-due to the aforementioned crossing'over'ofbelt ll'before passing around-pulley I have provided means for selec-tively tighteningeither belt 43 0i belt Miwhich comprises a lever aim 48-pivoted atthe lower-end thereof for partial rotation upon shaftiidtheupper-end ofthis lever ekten'ding toa position convenient to the operator of the machine. Across-bar 49 is situated substantially atright angles towards thellowr end of T than" 48 'and is provided with d saster puneys 50' upon" the extremities theredftivrlyifig tfieiipperr-i n sl of belts and Mf'ftlie positidn of ever 43 determining which "belt'i gages b'y'eitlier-of the. pulleys 50. g 4

'E'figa g''inenvo joneb'f the belts 43- or M by one" of" the pulleys ll'has" the' eifect of tightening this "belt causing drive to be transmitted from pullfe'y 'BG'to' either puueys'aa or '41. At the same tiir'ieasffiriefofthese belts istightened, the 'opposi'te orieis lifted clear of the sheaves within lpulle'y 36 uy 'meanstr a' depending 'hook 52w ich isf'rnoiintedfipon' the extremities of firo'ss fshaft 1'49 andZpassesRinder the upper run 5'l;' offbelts 1:3 am waseiea ny shown in- Figure 'S'of'the accompanying drawings. this'cofinecijion, reference to Figure; will show that" shafts 3itogether with rollers 32 are provided with tensioning springs 53 which main- "tain the correct-tension -uponcanvas32'-at all times.

Having described my devicein detail its method of; operation will now be presented.

T The swather is dr-iven by means of a tractor or other similar sources of power in the direction of arrow54, cut grainbeing deposited upon the main conveyor canvasa whicheonveyssame towards-theareamas hereinbefore described. The grain is deposited upon the transfer conveyor which operates in the direction of arrow 55 thus carrying the grain to the rear of the swather and upwardly as shown in Figure depositing same upon the swath-laying conveyor 25. If it is desired to lay the swath to the left of the machine with reference to Figure 1, then lever 48 is moved in the direction of arrow 56 thus causing belt 43 to be tightened by the engagement of pulley 50 with the upper run 5| thereof which causes the upper run of the conveyor canvas to move in the direction of arrow 47. At the same time, hook 52 upon the opposite end of cross-bar 49 lifts the upper run 5| of belt 44 clear of the sheaves thus permitting same to idle.

If it is desired, upon the next round for example, to lay the swath in the same path, then the direction of travel of canvas 32' of the swathlaying conveyor 25 is reversed by moving lever 48 in the direction opposite to arrow 56. This causes pulley 50 to engage the upper run 5| of belt 44 thus tightening same and causing the drive to be transmitted to pulley 4| thus reversing the direction of travel of the canvas. 'At the same time, the hook 52 upon the opposite end of the cross-bar 49 raises the upper run 5| of the belt 43 thus allowing this belt to idle at this time.

In conclusion, while I have described a beltdriven system for reversing the direction of travel of canvas 32' of the swath-laying conveyor, it will be appreciated that, if desired, a system of drive-shaft and bevel gears, together with a reversing gear-box could be utilized but, for simplicity, the present embodiment is preferred.

Since many modifications can be made in the invention herein described and since the accompanying drawings have been prepared only to illustrate the relative arrangement and interaction of parts and not with regard to accuracy of dimensions for manufacturing purposes which in view of this disclosure I consider to entail merely mechanical skill together with the skill of the mechanical draftsman, and since many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made within the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense and I desire only such limitations placed thereon as justice dictates.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A conveyor attachment for swathers and the like, said swather including a conventional main conveyor platform or table and transfer conveyor at right angles thereto, said transfer conveyor including a pair of rollers, an endless canvas rotatable thereon, means for driving one of said rollers, the forward portion of said transfer conveyor spanning one end of said main conveyor table, the rear portion of said transfer conveyor curving upwardly and rearwardly from the rear edge of said main conveyor table, a swathlaying conveyor at the rear of said swather substantially parallel to said main conveyor table, the rear end of said transfer conveyor being mounted upon the supporting structure of said swath-laying conveyor and overlying said swathlaying conveyor thereby permitting cut grain to be transferred from said main conveyor table and deposited upon said swath-laying conveyor, said swath-laying conveyor including a pair of supporting members extending rearwardly from the main frame of said swathing assembly, a substantially rectangular framework supported by said members, a pair of rollers mounted for rotation within said framework, an endless canvas extending around said rollers, means for driving one of said rollers, said swath-laying conveyor being capable of selective reversible movement, and means to provide said selective reversible movement.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means for selective reversible movement of said swath laying conveyor includes a lever, a cross-bar secured to said lever and extending at right angles therefrom, said means for driving said rollers of said swath laying component, including a triple sheave driven pulley, pulleys on the ends of said shafts, a belt extending around one of said sheaves and one of said pulleys, and crossed belt extending around one of said sheaves and of the other of said pulleys, belt engaging sheaves upon each end of said cross-bar, each adapted to engage the upper run of one of said belts thereby tightening same, and hook means depending downwardly from the extremities of said cross-bar and under the upper run of said belts, to lift the upper run of the belt opposite to that which is being tightened thereby loosening same.

JOHN PAGE, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 395,051 Heacock Dec. 25, 1888 581,219 McCormick Apr. 20, 1897 804,980 Reiss Nov. 21, 1905 865,455 Travis Sept. 10, 1907 901,588 Brown Oct. 20, 1908 1,223,201 Pritchett Apr. 17, 1917 1,392,113 Carr Sept. 27, 1921 1,440,398 McNeill Jan. 2, 1923 1,859,759 Walters May 24, 1932 1,946,656 Lindgren et a1. Feb. 13, 1934 2,224,970 Lindgren et al. Dec. 17, 1940 

